WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
pro•test /n. ˈproʊtɛst; v. prəˈtɛst, ˈproʊtɛst/USA pronunciation
n.
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- an act of expressing or declaring one's objection to, disapproval of, or disagreement with some act or action: [uncountable]voices of protest.[countable]some minor protests.
v.
- to express or declare one's objection to, disapproval of, or disagreement with (some act or action): [no object]They protested against the war.[~ + object]The students protested the bombing.
- to affirm or declare in protest: [~ + object]They protested their innocence.[~ + that clause]They protested that they were innocent.
pro•test
(n. prō′test;v. prə test′, prō′test),USA pronunciation n.
v.i.
v.t.
pro•test′a•ble, adj.
pro•test′er, pro•tes′tor, n.
pro•test′ing•ly, adv.
pro•test′ive, adj.
- an expression or declaration of objection, disapproval, or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid:a protest against increased taxation.
- Business[Com.]
- a formal notarial certificate attesting the fact that a check, note, or bill of exchange has been presented for acceptance or payment and that it has been refused.
- the action taken to fix the liability for a dishonored bill of exchange or note.
- Law
- Law(upon one's payment of a tax or other state or city exaction) a formal statement disputing the legality of the demand.
- Naval Termsa written and attested declaration made by the master of a ship stating the circumstances under which some damage has happened to the ship or cargo, or other circumstances involving the liability of the officers, crew, etc.
- Sporta formal objection or complaint made to an official.
v.i.
- to give manifest expression to objection or disapproval;
remonstrate. - to make solemn or earnest declaration.
v.t.
- to make a protest or remonstrance against;
object to. - to say in protest or remonstrance.
- to declare solemnly or earnestly;
affirm;
assert. - to make a formal declaration of the nonacceptance or nonpayment of (a bill of exchange or note).
- [Obs.]to call to witness.
- Middle French protester
- Latin prōtestārī to declare publicly, equivalent. to prō- pro-1 + testārī to testify, derivative of testis a witness; (verb, verbal) late Middle English protesten
- Middle French (French protêt), derivative of protester to protest
- (noun, nominal) Middle English 1350–1400
pro•test′er, pro•tes′tor, n.
pro•test′ing•ly, adv.
pro•test′ive, adj.
- 5. complain. 6. asseverate, avow, aver, attest. See declare.
- 1. approval. 5. approve.